New jewellery designers at IJL - International Jewellery London

What feels like ages ago now - waaaay back on 6th September - I headed down to IJL to take a tour around the new layout and have a good nose around the new jewellery designers showing this year. There was guaranteed to be some brilliant ones to watch, due in part to the Kickstart and Bright Young Gems sections of the show, both of which promoted emerging jewellery designers, fresh from or a couple of years out of studying. 

The Kickstart stand was fabulous - I got chatting to Daisy Knights who I first wrote about a year or so ago, and haven't seen for a few months, and was also pleased to see Momocreatura and Hannah Bedford who I've also given a little mention to on Like Gold Dust before. Alongside some old favourites were Jessica De Lotz and Akong London, two brilliant and boudary-pushing new designers who are definitely due a mention of their own here soon.

 Daisy Knights at her stand; her Lornie feather rings

Touring the rest of the stands at the show, I got chatting with Sophie Breitmeyer, at the Bright Young Gems stand, who has just entered EC One's 'Unsigned' competition for new graduate jewellery designers. Her gorgeous, sculptural jewellery caught my eye for its mix of shapes and textures; pearls, metal ruffles and chains... I was also pleased to see Hannah Livingston aglow with her recent award from Astley Clarke who are taking her under their wing as an emerging jewellery talent - her little box necklaces are definitely causing a well-deserved stir!

Sophie Breitmeyer at her stand, with her pearl necklace design entered into EC One's competition
Her gorgeous 'Archway Shoulder Necklace', below

Laura Gravestock was also her lovely smiley self, excited to hear from Swag jewellers who had an eye on her stunning Majestic collection, not to mention the fact this was her first year at the show with a stand all to herself! 

 Laura Gravestock at her first IJL stand, her classic 'Written' collection above

I also caught up with old favourite Becca (who was pleased to see me wearing my charm necklace of hers!) and had a gorgeous display, bringing her playful vintage-feel to the modern surrounds of such a contemporary jewellery show. Aside from her gorgeous new enamelled pieces, I adored her giant paper sculptures, made by her good friends and accessory designers Swash.

 

 

Becca with her vintage-styled stand and gorgeous jewellery (note the little dog and cross-bones necklace inspired by Becca's whippet, Pearl), and her irresitable little bird ornament!

A great show, with lots more that I could write about - if only I'd taken 100 more photos!! And many more people on my list to write about in the coming months - notably Phoebe Coleman, who I'll write about very soon, and new collections from ethical jewellery designers Oria...

Ps. Apologies for the really bad photo editing/colour - the light in there is super intense, teamed with the designer's own lamps it sends cameras a bit haywire!!